We live in a confusing, often chaotic world where the pace of technological change can sometimes feel overwhelming. The sheer volume and pervasiveness of technological breakthroughs has promised to make things simpler, keep us more connected and improve our daily lives but oftentimes the opposite is true. Additional complexity, feelings of disconnection and small erosions of our personal freedoms are common refrains.

It often feels like we’re the ones adapting to these rapid advances instead of seeing technology adapt to us. That’s why it’s important to put a spotlight onto people, organizations, and companies who use science and technology to fulfill that promise and make a positive impact on the world.

PSFK and Verizon’s Pioneers ofHumanability list includes a wide range of breakthrough innovations from the founder of a startup that wants to build solar-powered mass transit pods suspended above traffic to a citizen scientist organizer furthering space exploration via crowdsourcing to a biotech engineer working with artists to explore future applications. There are many different ways creative-minded people can transform the world, and our list highlights some of the most interesting that we have encountered in our research.

In 2018, the differences between entrepreneur, scientist, student, and teacher are much fuzzier than they’ve ever been. So-called amateur tinkerers and hackers are able to come up with transformational projects just as easily as a seasoned technology entrepreneur. At its best, technology can level the playing field, enabling anyone to manifest their big ideas into meaningful actions.

The creators, founders, and academics we’ve spoken with all have one important thing in common: They use technology and creative thinking to make our lives better. Sometimes, coming up with new ways to improve the environment, make smarter use of existing resources or bring individuals together around a shared goal is enough on its own, but often these innovations can have an amplifying effect. They also teach us to celebrate our differences, push us towards more equitable access and inspire us to strive for a better tomorrow.

The Pioneers of Humanability doesn’t just focus on a single area of change, but instead looks more broadly at positive innovations that can remake what’s possible. Any time we’re asked to contemplate the new and the next, particularly around technology, there’s always going to be worry about unintended (or intended) consequences. That’s why we’re excited to highlight pioneers who endeavor to deliver proactive, additive value to our lives.

All of the 10 pioneers we have spoken with are developing unique, and sometimes counterintuitive, ways to to achieve their outsize goals. Sometimes they find ways to redistribute an existing resource, or even create one out of thin air. Other times, they make an existing process run more efficiently, or create an entirely new way of doing things. They’ve stopped asking “What if?” or “Why isn’t?” and started doing and leading instead.

These are the people, organizations and companies that are building the future—and we’re happy to present them to you.

Verizon’s Pioneers of Humanability report honors the people, organizations and companies that are using technological innovations to bring about good things for the world. These are the pioneers, keeping food safe and water clean, cutting pollution, saving energy and enabling doctors to treat patients a county or a country away. They’ve stopped asking “What if?” or “Why isn’t?” and started doing and leading. These are the people, organizations and companies you need to know about now—because they’re building the future. Download the free report here and tune into PSFK.com for related insights.

We live in a confusing, often chaotic world where the pace of technological change can sometimes feel overwhelming. The sheer volume and pervasiveness of technological breakthroughs has promised to make things simpler, keep us more connected and improve our daily lives but oftentimes the opposite is true. Additional complexity, feelings of disconnection and small erosions of our personal freedoms are common refrains.

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